The Citadel Museums

The museums of the citadel, in Cagliari

The Cittadella dei Musei gathers the most prestigious museum institutions of Cagliari in the former royal arsenal of the fortress, behind the fine Porta Cristina. The Cagliari audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this cultural ensemble born in the 1950s, that gathers the national archaeological museum, one of the richest of Italy, the Pinacoteca, the museum of Siamese art and the wax museum of Clemente Susini.

History

The fine gate that stands here is called the Porta Cristina. It was built in 1825 by Carlos Boyle, who drew his inspiration largely from the Porta Angelica of Rome. It was named Cristina in honour of Queen Marie-Christine of Bourbon, wife of King Charles-Felix of Savoy, then king of Sardinia. This neoclassical construction replaced the old gate of relief, of the seventeenth century, that needed a rejuvenation. It opens today onto the whole of the museums of the citadel, installed in the former royal arsenal of the fortress. In the 1950s, the place was deeply rethought and transformed into a cultural space composed of several museums: the national archaeological museum, one of the richest of Italy, presents extraordinary pieces telling the whole history of Sardinia; the Pinacoteca gathers the national art museum; the museum of Siamese art preserves a fine collection of the Far East; and the wax museum exhibits the anatomical models of Clemente Susini. Even without entering the museums, the enclosure of the former fortress deserves a walk: this small city within the city offers a fine view from its belvedere.

What to see

Here you discover, behind the neoclassical Porta Cristina of 1825, the whole of the museums installed in the former royal arsenal: the national archaeological museum, one of the richest of Italy, the Pinacoteca, the museum of Siamese art and the wax museum of Clemente Susini; the enclosure of the fortress also offers a fine view. The Cittadella dei Musei is the cultural heart of Cagliari. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The museums of the citadel lie at the north-west extremity of the Castello district, in Cagliari, reachable on foot by the Porta Cristina. The access to the various museums and the hours follow the conditions in force, which vary. It is best to enquire before coming.

What museums are found at the citadel of Cagliari?

Installed in the former royal arsenal, you find there the national archaeological museum, one of the richest of Italy that retraces the whole history of Sardinia, the Pinacoteca or national art museum, the museum of Siamese art with its Far East collections, and the wax museum exhibiting the anatomical models of Clemente Susini.

Where are the museums of the citadel in Cagliari?

At the north-west extremity of the Castello district, in Cagliari, in Italy.